Synergy Review

Electricity and gas provider Synergy is one of three energy corporations owned by the Western Australian government, retailing energy to both residential and business customers.

Synergy was established in 2006 when state reforms saw Western Power Corporation split into four separate businesses, also comprising Verve Energy (generation) and Western Power (network), with Horizon Power focused on regional and remote Western Australia.

Verve subsequently merged with Synergy in 2014 to form the one company, managing both the generation and retailing of energy to Western Australia’s South West Interconnected System, selling electricity to residential and business customers and gas to large-scale business customers.

“With a goal of being first choice in energy, Synergy recognises the importance of earning customer loyalty,” Synergy states. “We are looking ahead, identifying and developing products and services to give our customers what they need.”

What does Synergy offer?

Customers can compare and sign-up for Synergy plans online or by calling Synergy directly, with its residential electricity plans comprising its:
• Home Plan (A1): which Synergy states is its simplest plan for residential properties, with no smart meter required, and comprising one flat rate for all seasons.
• Smart Home Plan: providing customers the opportunity to save money by using less power at peak times, comprising four different time bands that apply all year round.
• Home Business Plan (K1): for home businesses where electricity is used for both living and working.

Green energy with Synergy

“While the green energy you buy won’t necessarily get to your home, your investment goes towards the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Australia’s own national accreditation program – GreenPower,” Synergy explains.

“Green energy purchased by Synergy is fed into the electricity grid, where it mixes with energy produced from non-renewable sources before being supplied to your home. How much is green depends on how many RECs are purchased.”

Synergy offers EasyGreen, via which customers purchase a set amount of renewable energy costing between $10 and $80 each billing cycle, and NaturalPower, which provides for customers to buy an agreed amount based on a percentage of their electricity consumption.

Synergy also offers solar packages, with its SolarReturn offer providing “access to a range of high-quality, high-efficiency solar system packages”.

“Our solar gurus handle every aspect of the process for you, including applying to Western Power to connect to the grid and checking if you’re eligible for any buyback rates,” Synergy states. “We make sure everything on your energy account is set up from the get-go – so it’s smooth sailing to savings on your next electricity bill.”

“All your billing and payment information is stored in one central spot online so you can access these details any time,” Synergy states.

Customers can opt to have their bills and account notifications delivered to their inbox (with Synergy having added SMS reminders to its paperless service) or delivered via post, and can pay their energy bills online via the Synergy website by credit or debit card.

Customers can also pay by direct debit (and have the option to pay in instalments, paying smaller amounts more often), BPay, credit card via phone, by cheque or money order via post, or in person at a post office.

Synergy provides its eConnect rewards for customers who combine paperless, My Account and direct debit, with customers (who have paid their bill by the due date) who do so every two months automatically entered into a draw to win one of thirty $200 credits against their Synergy account.